Introduction to Contemporary theory

Existentialism
Critical Theory
feminist theory
discourse analysis
post-colonial theory
technology/media studies

Modern theory-

A-roots are in the Enlightenment
  1. growth of natural scientific knowledge
  2. creation of scientific method to discern ‘truth’ about natural world
  3. belief that humans can also discern the truth about social world and social laws underlying creation of society
    a. humans can discern the truth independently of church law
      1. human reason- “rationalism”
      2. human experience- “empiricism”

B. humans can discover the social laws or  “natural laws” underlying the ideal society
  1. the use of scientific method
  2. control of nature is possible and good
  3. possible to separate reason from emotion/body/context

C. individual becomes the center of philosophy
1. How can individual freedom be enhanced?
2. How can each individual discover "truth"?
3. How can justice be realized?
4. What is necessary for a truly fulfilled life?

D. discovering these truths –“natural law”, the ‘ideal society” creates the foundation for all ethics and forms of knowledge
1. science is highest form of knowledge- disciplined use of reason
2. progressive view of knowledge
a. as human knowledge accumulates, ppl get more evolved, more intelligent, more civilized
b. we can expect that progress will continue to be made
c. assumption that there will no longer be warfare or injustice
d. evolving view of history ‘unfolding’, according to God’s plan, through human action

E. very optimistic & influential school of thought
1. basis for modern democratic societies
2. allowed for development of societies with multiple points of view; tolerance
3. greater role for citizens in governance of societies
4. dignity of individual/human worth is central
5. universal reason governs all humans, common point of reference

F. Basis for emancipatory movements
1. women’s suffrage
2. abolitionist movement
3. human rights campaigns
4. trade unions/workers’ organizations

G. also, basis for oppressive movements
1. colonization of ‘inferior’ societies & peoples
2. restricting the vote by race, gender, nationality
3. “manifest destiny”

Contemporary Theory--

A. enormous skepticism and disillusionment
    1. reaction to events of 20th century
        a. holocaust
        b. massive genocide
   2. failures of societies/schemes designed by reason
      a. complications due to hyper-rationality
      b. increase in irrational movements
      c. fear of consequences of technology
         1. nuclear holocaust
         2. "franken-food"
         3. Jurassic Park scenario


B. sees as problems what was assumed as given under 'modernism'

   1. foundations of morality
       a. Is there a "god'?
       b. Does the market always work in interests of individuals?
       c.  limits of human reason
       d. is there one "truth", one 'common reference point'?

  2.  impact of context and structural factors to shape human behavior
     a. individual not center of structure- structure acts through individuals
     b. difficult to break free of ideological structures
     c. power is being exercised 'behind scenes'- 'matrix' metaphor

 3. cannot trust senses to determine truth
    a. simulation/spinning/deception
    b. difference in perspectives determines point of view
    c. Is there a 'silenced' voice?
    d. who defines what is 'rational/irrational'?

C. Blurring of boundaries between distinct realms
    a. nature/culture
    b. male/female- androgynous
    c. technology/nature
    d. public/private
    e. human/machine
    f. simulation/reality

Problems:

Key in this class will be to examine these ideas critically:
1. How do these concepts hold together within the philosopher’s system of thought?

2. What assumptions does each philosopher make in designing his theory?

3. How much of the theory comes from the context of the era in which the theory is written? How much transcends that context?

4. How have these concepts been used in an emancipatory way? How have they been used in an oppressive way?

5.   How do we redefine these values in a way that reflects our experience with contemporary life and society?

6. Are they more or less useful than modernist ideas?  What do we do with them? Do they help us make sense of what's going on around us?